|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 528
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 528 |
I have had the good fortune to acquire two very nice Marlins, one in .357 and one in .44, over the last coupla months. What kind of distance do you gentleman think I could reasonably expect to kill a deer at with each of these? 75-100yds maybe? Thanks much....Jake.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,542 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,542 Likes: 2 |
75 to 100 would be a reasonable expectation.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 746
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 746 |
Few people can shoot a lever rifle with factory sites well enough to take a deer beyond 100 yards. That is a reasonable limit for the handgun cartriges.
The Constitution shall never be construed... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.
Samuel Adams
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,327 Likes: 27
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,327 Likes: 27 |
I killed one [140 lb doe] right at 200 with my Marlin .357. Got a complete passthrough on a broadside lung shot at that range. Your effective range will have far more to do with YOUR capabilities and the accuracy of your individual rifle/load than any limitations of the cartridge.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 528
Campfire Regular
|
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 528 |
Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate your insight.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,289
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,289 |
As an aside, don't ever forget that bullets matter. There's a big difference between a cast SWC and a cup and core or the latest gee wiz bullet. Proper aim hits your target but bullets kill.
Go tell the Spartans,Travelers passing by,That here,Obedient to their laws we lie.
I'm older now but I'm still runnin' against the wind
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761 |
I killed one [140 lb doe] right at 200 with my Marlin .357. Got a complete passthrough on a broadside lung shot at that range. Your effective range will have far more to do with YOUR capabilities and the accuracy of your individual rifle/load than any limitations of the cartridge. Blackbart, Nice shot...What load did you use? Doc
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,220 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,220 Likes: 9 |
I put a scope on my 44 the other day. With out a scope, the factory sights limited me to about 50 yards of confidence. I just can't use them.
With the scope, 2 rounds went into a ragged hole at 50 yards, with Winchester white box. At 100 yards, not so good. Having said that, 2 rounds would be about 1.5 to 2 inches apart then the 3rd would open up to another 4 inches or so. Good enough for hogs and such.
One of the reasons I shot it at 100 yards was to see where the POI was. It was about right on, maybe an inch low.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,557
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,557 |
I too owned both 357 and 44 caliber Marlin Levers. The 44 kicked like a 30-30 so I sold it. Kept the 357.
At 100 yards, the 357 has the velocity and energy of a handgun at the muzzle. So I say 150 yards for deer. I regularly shoot targets at 200 yards with my Marlin 357.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19,659 Likes: 19
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19,659 Likes: 19 |
I'd recommend putting a set of XS sights on them. Huge, Huge improvement over the factory sights. Makes shooting out to 100 a breeze.
MAGA
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 19,825 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 19,825 Likes: 3 |
I'm fond of a Lyman 66 on my Marlins.
Yes, 100yds will be just fine with either caliber. I don't use hollow point bullets for deer with my .357, just soft points or hard cast bullets. YMMV
Ed
"Not in an open forum, where truth has less value than opinions, where all opinions are equally welcome regardless of their origins, rationale, inanity, or truth, where opinions are neither of equal value nor decisive." Ken Howell
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 600
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 600 |
You fellas must be blind  With me doing my part behind the trigger, my Marlin can find its mark up to 175yrds easily. This is standing without a sling help. Hitting maybe a 12" circle which is over sized for the killzone of a deer but still impressive given the limitations of the cartridge.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860 |
You fellas must be blind With me doing my part behind the trigger, my Marlin can find its mark up to 175yrds easily. This is standing without a sling help. Hitting maybe a 12" circle which is over sized for the killzone of a deer but still impressive given the limitations of the cartridge. You must be from Lake Woebegone, you know, where all the children are above average? I have a SOTIC Honor Grad plaque with my name on it and I can't do that with my Marlins offhand.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,542 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,542 Likes: 2 |
You fellas must be blind With me doing my part behind the trigger, my Marlin can find its mark up to 175yrds easily. This is standing without a sling help. Hitting maybe a 12" circle which is over sized for the killzone of a deer but still impressive given the limitations of the cartridge. There's no doubt that the rifles are capable of farther shots. Someone not familiar with the sights/trajectory may not want to try it, though. Most people are comfortable out to 75 to 100 yards, and in the terrain that the .357s and .44s are intended to be used in, that is more than sufficient ability. .357s with 180s, and .44s with 300s can do some long range damage. The VERY first thing I get rid of on a rifle of that type is the factory sights. Go Receiver sight, young man.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,557
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,557 |
My marlin 1894C in 357 is minute of 12" plate at 200 yards.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,340
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,340 |
I havent looked at the numbers for a while but Im sure a 357 out of a rifle is going a good 400 fps faster than a 6" revolver. That would have it going faster at 100 yds than a revolver at the muzzle. So cetainly with accuracy figured in it can be effective beyond that.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 948
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 948 |
+1 on the sight change. I have the Marlins in .22, .357, .44, .45LC, .45-70 & .30-30 (seems I also have an affliction...... tee hee) All of the above have been outfitted with aftermarket sights & with the exception of the scoped .30-30 all have Skinner Peeps. Not saying they're much (or any) better than the others but I have had great service & performance from them. Just a thought & IMHO well worth a look.
BTW, the .357 is by far my favorite of the rifles. Honestly, probably my favorite rifle that I own. Fun, cheap & accurate. If you ever sell it you'll regret it...... I sold the one I had as a kid & regretted it until the day I got another.
beati pacifici quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur Matthew 5:9
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,502
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,502 |
+1 on the sight change. I have the Marlins in .22, .357, .44, .45LC, .45-70 & .30-30 (seems I also have an affliction...... tee hee) All of the above have been outfitted with aftermarket sights & with the exception of the scoped .30-30 all have Skinner Peeps. Not saying they're much (or any) better than the others but I have had great service & performance from them. Just a thought & IMHO well worth a look.
BTW, the .357 is by far my favorite of the rifles. Honestly, probably my favorite rifle that I own. Fun, cheap & accurate. If you ever sell it you'll regret it...... I sold the one I had as a kid & regretted it until the day I got another. I feel the same way about mine in 44mag. It would be the last of all my guns I would part with. They are great rifles, tons of fun to shoot and perfect for hunting with.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 380
Campfire Member
|
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 380 |
I've had both the 44 mag and 357 marlins. The little 44 mag kicked a little too much for the grandkids so it went down the road. I do like the 357 and with skinner sights 100 yards is no problem. Just a fun gun to shoot too.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 806
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 806 |
Nothing by coincedence. I just bought (yesterday) a 357 marlin w/a Leupole Vari X IIc 4-12x40 on it. I have not shot it yet but going to the range on Monday. I really thought the Leupole was to much for the rifle thinking it was really only good out to 150 yds. What say you guys.
Also what ammo do they like? I also have a Marlin 444 a real cannon and not fun to shoot I am hoping the 357 is nicer!
Living in the Land of Sunshine & No Basements
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him, better take a closer look at the American Indian"
Semper Fi The Old Corps Era of the M-1 Garand�
|
|
|
|
|
526 members (10gaugeman, 22250rem, 06hunter59, 1234, 17CalFan, 160user, 53 invisible),
3,657
guests, and
1,248
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,703
Posts18,534,741
Members74,041
| |
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
